Evans battles to keep hopes alive

OPTIMISM:Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain said he has not given up hope of winning this year’s race despite sitting fourth

AFP and AP, MONT SAINT MICHEL, France

Evans’ BMC team have yet to make their mark on this race with Jim Ochowicz admitting: “We think that the race is far from over. Certainly for us, it’s a lot more difficult to think about winning in Paris.”

Evans said: “From here, I hope to improve myself for the next set of mountains and the next time trial and keep moving ahead on the GC.”

The only ugliness on this otherwise spectacular stage was that a roadside spectator apparently sprayed urine at British rider Mark Cavendish as he was riding the course, said Patrick Lefevere, manager of his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team.

Froome noted that one of the attractions of cycling is that spectators get close to the athletes. The Cavendish incident “ruins the whole atmosphere.”